Have You Acted In Good Faith?

Judges 9:19-20 (NIV) – 19 So have you acted honorably and in good faith toward Jerub-Baal and his family today? If you have, may Abimelek be your joy, and may you be his, too! 20 But if you have not, let fire come out from Abimelek and consume you, the citizens of Shechem and Beth Millo, and let fire come out from you, the citizens of Shechem and Beth Millo, and consume Abimelek!”

Abimeleck killed seventy of his brothers and he was supported by the people of Shechem. Jotham escaped the murder of seventy of his brothers. Jotham speaks these words from a hideout to Abimeleck and the people of Shechem. Have you acted in good faith?

Abimeleck, when you killed your brothers, were you acting in good faith? Was it for the greater good? Was it the best thing that should have been done under those circumstances? Have you acted in good faith?

People of Shechem, when you supported a man as he killed seventy of his brothers, were you acting in good faith? Why didn’t you stop him? You rewarded this murder by making him your king? Have you acted in good faith?

There were times in the Old Testament past when murder could be justified. Those murdered were either wicked people and God commanded their murder, or they were criminals whose death will restore peace. Why did Abimeleck kill his brothers? Did God command it? No. Were they criminals whose death will bring peace? No. Therefore, Jotham asks this question to Abimeleck and the people of Shechem who supported him. Have you acted in good faith?

Acting in good faith means you have good intentions. Acting in good faith means you wish to achieve the greater good for most people. Acting in good faith means the goal of your actions is not personal selfish interests. Acting in good faith means God will be pleased by your actions. Acting in good faith means from deep within your heart you harbor no ill motives as you act. Have you acted in good faith?

When you pressurized the leader whom you could influence to take a particular action, were you acting in good faith? When you arm twisted the committee to approve an action, were you acting in good faith? When you swayed family members against another family member, were you acting in good faith? Have you acted in good faith?

When you spread rumors that tarnished someone else’s name, were you acting in good faith? When you leaked scandalous information that would cripple the church for a while, were you acting in good faith? Have you acted in good faith?

When you borrowed money and now avoid paying and keep lying and dodging, are you acting in good faith? When you abandon your family and don’t take care of your children, are you acting in good faith? When you consistently incite your children to hate your fellow parent, are you acting in good faith?

When you make promises in the name of love and you can’t keep those promises, are you acting in good faith? When you accept money and gifts from someone you will not consider for a relationship, yet you know the person is interested in a relationship, are you acting in good faith?

Judges 9:16-20 (NIV) – 16 “Have you acted honorably and in good faith by making Abimelek king? Have you been fair to Jerub-Baal and his family? Have you treated him as he deserves? 17 Remember that my father fought for you and risked his life to rescue you from the hand of Midian. 18 But today you have revolted against my father’s family. You have murdered his seventy sons on a single stone and have made Abimelek, the son of his female slave, king over the citizens of Shechem because he is related to you. 19 So have you acted honorably and in good faith toward Jerub-Baal and his family today? If you have, may Abimelek be your joy, and may you be his, too! 20 But if you have not, let fire come out from Abimelek and consume you, the citizens of Shechem and Beth Millo, and let fire come out from you, the citizens of Shechem and Beth Millo, and consume Abimelek!”

There are rewards from God when we act in good faith. There will be a divine punishment when we don’t act in good faith. Have you acted in good faith?

How have you treated people under you? Have you acted in good faith? How have you treated people that you hire? Have you acted in good faith? For your decisions and actions, will God who knows our motives punish you or reward you? Have you acted in good faith?

May God forgive us for the many times we have not acted in good faith. May God help us to act in good faith. In Jesus name, Amen!

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